SECURITY cameras in a Northern Territory public library have helped police catch and charge an alleged serial flasher, it can be revealed.

Police detained and charged a 37-year-old man after he was caught by CCTV cameras exposing himself to children in the Alice Springs library.

It is understood council rangers assisted in the apprehension of the flasher, and although it is NT Police policy to publicise such crimes for public awareness, only the bare details were released at the time.

A press release, which was issued by police the day after the arrest of the man, states only that the man had allegedly exposed himself “at a location on the corner of Leichhardt and Gregory Terraces” at around 12.30pm on Thursday, November 28.

“Witnesses contacted police and he was arrested nearby a short time later,” Detective Senior Sergeant Peter Malley said in the release, which also urged anyone who witnessed the event to contact police.

The alleged offender was charged with indecent behaviour and exposing a child to an indecent act and was later convicted of the offences.

So scarce on detail was the release, NT Police Media this week struggled to find details of the incident and suggested it would be “usual practice” for police to actively publicise such incidents in line with public safety and awareness efforts.

When questioned by the NT News last Thursday, council’s chief executive Rex Mooney acknowledged there had been an “incident” at the library.

“I am aware there was an incident a little while ago,” he said.

“We are very much attuned to that sort of reporting protocol. I can assure you of that.

“The moment any of these incidents occur or are suspected, our staff takes the appropriate action and that appropriate action is advising the police with the evidence we have available.

“We are an open book and are very transparent about these issues.”

ASTC’s Corporate and Community Services director Craig Catchlove and Ranger Unit manager Kevin Everett supported Mr Mooney’s view that council had followed all required steps in reporting the incident and assisting police investigations.